Melbourne PD K9 Nails Fugitive Sex Offender

Attempting to Injure Police Dog AMONG CHARGES

ABOVE MAP: Melbourne Probation and Parole officers had originally gone to a home on Pheasant Court in an attempt to locate sex offender Gabriel Guzman for removing his court-ordered electronic monitoring device.

According to the Melbourne Police Department, at 12:48 p.m., Melbourne Police officers were called by members of Probation and Parole to assist them in looking for Guzman, who is also known as Gabriel Rivas Jr.

Probation and Parole officers had originally gone to a home on Pheasant Court in an attempt to locate Guzman for removing his court-ordered electronic monitoring device. Guzman also had an active felony warrant for violation of probation in reference to a Lewd or Lascivious Battery on a victim 12 to 16 years of age.

Gabriel Guzman (BCSO image)

Once the probation officers knocked on the front door to the residence, Guzman ran out the back and fled on foot.

Melbourne Police officers arrived on scene and began to search for Guzman who was reportedly running through yards in order to escape. Officer Johnny Rodriguez and canine Raven also responded to assist in the search.

‘LET GO OF THE DOG’

According to the Melbourne Police Department, Raven tirelessly followed Guzman’s scent throughout neighborhood streets until he showed strong interest in an area near some bushes on Partridge Court.

Melbourne PD K9 Raven

Guzman emerged from the brush and grabbed Raven around the neck and head, lifting the dog off of the ground.

MPD Officer Johnny Rodriguez

While giving the command, “let go of the dog,” Officer Rodriguez intervened by grabbing Guzman by the arm. Guzman continued to fight with Raven, grabbing him by the throat and ignoring the officer’s commands. After being bit three times during the struggle, Guzman finally submitted and was taken into custody.

Guzman was taken to an area hospital to be medically treated for minor injuries to the leg, arm and chin.

Guzman was charged with Resisting an Officer Without Violence, Attempting to Injure a Police Dog and Felony Warrant and taken to the Brevard County Jail.

Raven was not injured during the incident and, according to Officer Rodriguez, “he’s doing just fine today.”

The Melbourne Police Department is currently investigating this incident and if you have any information please call Crimeline at 1-800-423-TIPS (8477).